Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain has explained why Mahmudul Hasan Joy was retained in the squad for the second Test while Zakir Hasan was dropped.
On Day 4 of the Sylhet Test, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was bowling. Zakir Hasan and Mahmudul Hasan Joy were fielding close in at silly point and slip. A little later, Zakir dropped a straightforward catch—an error that may have sealed his fate.
Despite standing side by side on the field that day, their situations in the national team couldn’t be more different. Joy has continued to get chances despite poor performances, and he has also been named in the squad for the upcoming Chattogram Test. Zakir, on the other hand, has been dropped without even playing a match in the ongoing series. In explaining this decision, chief selector Gazi Ashraf brought up Zakir’s fielding.
There are two changes in the Bangladesh squad for the Chattogram Test. Anamul Haque has replaced Zakir, and Tanvir Islam has received his first call-up, taking the place of Nahid Rana.
In terms of performance, Zakir’s exclusion isn’t entirely surprising—he has gone 13 innings without a single fifty. On the recent tour of the West Indies, he scored 15 and 0, and did not make the XI for the second Test.
Still, despite that string of failures, the 27-year-old opener was included in the squad for the first Test against Zimbabwe. But he was dropped without playing a match—raising questions. Why was he included in the first place? And why was he dropped without getting a chance?
Joy’s place in the team has also come under scrutiny. His last notable innings came in November 2023—an 86-run knock against New Zealand in Sylhet. Since then, he hasn’t crossed 50 in 17 innings.
In the Sylhet Test, Joy struggled in both innings. He scored 14 off 35 balls in the first and 33 off 65 in the second. At no point did he look settled at the crease. Both dismissals came from deliveries outside the off-stump, caught behind. In fact, in 9 of his last 10 innings, Joy has been caught by slip fielders or the wicketkeeper. The mode of dismissal remains consistent, and there’s little sign of improvement—raising serious questions about his place in the team.
In a conversation with bdnews24.com, Gazi Ashraf cited both match readiness and fielding ability as factors behind the decision.
“Joy has at least faced a hundred balls in the match. Secondly, when we need someone to field as a substitute, Joy is a relatively safer option in the slips. Fielding is a concern when it comes to Zakir. At silly point, you need to be a bit more agile. These small things also matter.”
However, Gazi Ashraf assured that Zakir hasn’t been cast aside permanently. The left-handed opener will likely be included in the squad for next month’s series against New Zealand.
“There was a chance (catch) on Wednesday. The player may have gotten out soon after, but those chances need to be taken. You have to stay more alert. Zakir did take a great catch in the gully during the Pakistan tour. But those with longer reach have a bit of an advantage—it makes a difference in run outs and catching.”
“We will definitely give Zakir more opportunities. We’ll ask him to be ready. He’ll get his chance against the New Zealand ‘A’ team.”
The second Test will begin this coming Monday at the Birshreshtha Flight Lieutenant Shaheed Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram (formerly known as Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium).
